What do you think?
Rate this book
The Snow Queen
*Winner 2001 Aurora Award for Long Form (English)
*Chosen for 2001 "Our Choice" Canadian Children's Centre literature guide
In this reworking of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the magical worlds of Saami shamanism and the Kalevala coexist with the polite Victorian society of nineteenth-century Scandanavia. At a time when traditional faith is challenged by modern science, the old pagan gods still haunt the northern forests.
Ritva lives in the forest with her Saami shaman mother and robber-baron father until a cultured Danish teenager named Gerda is captured and brought to their camp. Gerda has embarked on a dangerous quest to rescue her friend Kai from the Snow Queen, an evil enchantress whose wintry palace lies far to the north. Their quest leads each of the young women to a fuller understanding of their possible roles in the world and the need for each other to establish their individual futures on their own terms.
Kernaghan blends fantasy and historical realism to create an enchanting, provocative story that will inspire readers of all ages.
*Chosen for 2001 "Our Choice" Canadian Children's Centre literature guide
In this reworking of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the magical worlds of Saami shamanism and the Kalevala coexist with the polite Victorian society of nineteenth-century Scandanavia. At a time when traditional faith is challenged by modern science, the old pagan gods still haunt the northern forests.
Ritva lives in the forest with her Saami shaman mother and robber-baron father until a cultured Danish teenager named Gerda is captured and brought to their camp. Gerda has embarked on a dangerous quest to rescue her friend Kai from the Snow Queen, an evil enchantress whose wintry palace lies far to the north. Their quest leads each of the young women to a fuller understanding of their possible roles in the world and the need for each other to establish their individual futures on their own terms.
Kernaghan blends fantasy and historical realism to create an enchanting, provocative story that will inspire readers of all ages.
158 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
3 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Kernaghan
32 books18 followersEileen Kernaghan lives in New Westminster B.C. Her short stories and poems have appeared in many
North American publications, both mainstream and speculative. Her
nine historical fantasy novels reflect her lifelong fascination with
ancient cultures and lost civilizations. Eileen's latest young adult
novel is Sophie, in Shadow, from Thistledown Press. It's set in India under the Raj, circa 1914.
North American publications, both mainstream and speculative. Her
nine historical fantasy novels reflect her lifelong fascination with
ancient cultures and lost civilizations. Eileen's latest young adult
novel is Sophie, in Shadow, from Thistledown Press. It's set in India under the Raj, circa 1914.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 30, 2013
The Snow Queen arrived on my doorstep on an unseasonably cold March day. I grabbed a blanket, curled up in my favorite chair, and read the book in a matter of a few hours. The Snow Queen is a short novel, a single-sitting book if you’re a fast reader like me, yet more enchanting than many longer works. Nothing is superfluous here; Eileen Kernaghan tells the story she has come to tell — a mythic reworking of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale of the same name — and that's it.
The enchantment begins with the lovely cover, graced with an illustration drawn from a 1913 book of fairy tales. Then, in the first paragraph, I was taken back to my childhood storybooks as Gerda and Kai sat among the flowerboxes, conversing across the narrow space between their townhouses. The setting is homey and familiar, both to the characters ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
The enchantment begins with the lovely cover, graced with an illustration drawn from a 1913 book of fairy tales. Then, in the first paragraph, I was taken back to my childhood storybooks as Gerda and Kai sat among the flowerboxes, conversing across the narrow space between their townhouses. The setting is homey and familiar, both to the characters ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
April 6, 2020
I appreciate how Kernaghan tried to incorporate elements of the Sami culture into her Snow Queen retelling, but nothing else about her version really brought the story to life for me. I could potentially see myself enjoying this more as a much younger reader.
March 13, 2017
I found this too derivative. Too much like the original fairy tale. I did like, though, how the Robber Girl is given more prominence in the story, and how Kernaghan (timidly) questions the whole premise of the fairy tale: is Kai really worth going to the end of the world for? He's a brat and totally forgets about Gerda the moment he sees the Snow Queen. I just wish this idea had been a bit more developed. The ending felt a bit inconclusive.
January 19, 2025
In her retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's tale, Eileen Kernaghan wanted to flesh out at least slightly better every good soul that helped Gerda on her quest to save Kai. She mostly succeeds--at the cost of fleshing out the relationship between Gerda and Kai at all. It's really hard to understand why she would go to the end of the World for someone who at the point of his disappearance seems sure he's outgrown their friendship and had been like that for a long while. Which is a point--but one that wasn't implemented well in my opinion.
On the other hand, we see a lot more of the robber's daughter, here named Ritva, who becomes vital for Gerda's success both as a skilled shaman and a good friend (surprisingly for even herself). This plot line also suffers from the author's problems with writing relationship development though: the majority of their journey together was way more bland than it should have been, only at the last leg it finally gets to the point where they truly rely on one another and learn to combine their separate strenghts into true power.
I didn't dislike it as much as I usually do fairytale retellings, so it's a 3.5* rounded up for both realistic approach to travel, and the scenes where it's clear that all characters don't magically know the same languages.
On the other hand, we see a lot more of the robber's daughter, here named Ritva, who becomes vital for Gerda's success both as a skilled shaman and a good friend (surprisingly for even herself). This plot line also suffers from the author's problems with writing relationship development though: the majority of their journey together was way more bland than it should have been, only at the last leg it finally gets to the point where they truly rely on one another and learn to combine their separate strenghts into true power.
I didn't dislike it as much as I usually do fairytale retellings, so it's a 3.5* rounded up for both realistic approach to travel, and the scenes where it's clear that all characters don't magically know the same languages.
April 22, 2020
Lucky find from my son's university library. Well done novella, with some beautiful language, with characters to root for, and with the themes brought forth lucidly and, yes, entertainingly. Highly recommended to fans of adaptations of the stories of Hans Christian Andersen, and recommended to anyone who wants more after reading the even better (imo) Breadcrumbs and The Raven and the Reindeer.
I will investigate for more by the author.
I will investigate for more by the author.
April 17, 2016
5 stars for this delightful retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's Snow Queen!
This version is set in Victorian Scandanavia and blends in Sami ( the correct term for the indigenous people also known as "Lapps") mythology.
This book confirms my belief that good "Young Adult" fiction is simply good literature for all ages where the leading protagonists just happen to be young adults!
This version is set in Victorian Scandanavia and blends in Sami ( the correct term for the indigenous people also known as "Lapps") mythology.
This book confirms my belief that good "Young Adult" fiction is simply good literature for all ages where the leading protagonists just happen to be young adults!
July 5, 2018
Fun read, interesting main characters - but ending left much to be desired! Still worth reading/adding to your collection if you are a fairytale enthusiast!
June 20, 2019
The long reaching Industrialism and Nationalism – not to mention Victorian mores – stalk the land of 19th century Europe.
Gerda is a thoroughly middle class child of the modern age, wearing the proper outfits, saying the proper prayers to Jesus-Christ-Our-One-True-Lord-And-Savoir-Thank-You-Very-Much, thinking the proper thoughts about marriages, etc.
Ritva, on the other hand, is thoroughly Other, raised on the fringes, part of the marginalized, and very much aware that the gods are very much still with us, as her mother tells her someday she’ll take on her predestined shaman role, whether she likes it or not.
World collide as Gerda meets Ritva while Gerda is on an epic quest to save her “true love” Kay from a woman who elegantly blends the modern with the magic to make one stylish – and powerful – enemy.
Somehow the book didn’t pull me into this world – I always felt like I was at a distance from the characters. Perhaps an extra level of detail or more time spent in the characters heads? I’m not sure. Basically, it was good, but it wasn’t great.
December 8, 2023
Decently entertaining and short if you're looking for a last minute wintery holiday read.
My main complaint was the pacing. This is a re-telling of a fairy tale, but it makes the, for me, unfortunate choice of incorporating a fairy tale's pace where a lot of things happen one after the other, but character development is pretty minimal. It could have benefited with just a bit more dialogue or time spent in the different characters' headspace.
My main complaint was the pacing. This is a re-telling of a fairy tale, but it makes the, for me, unfortunate choice of incorporating a fairy tale's pace where a lot of things happen one after the other, but character development is pretty minimal. It could have benefited with just a bit more dialogue or time spent in the different characters' headspace.
March 10, 2018
Nice, enjoyable read very close to Hans Christian Andersen's story.
June 13, 2019
More like 3.5, maybe even 3.75
Ritva, the robber-maid, reminded me of Astrid Lindgren's "Ronia, the Robber's Daughter", right down to both of them having broken down castle homes split in two.
Ritva, the robber-maid, reminded me of Astrid Lindgren's "Ronia, the Robber's Daughter", right down to both of them having broken down castle homes split in two.
April 11, 2020
A great rendering of an old tale with two fabulous female heroines.
June 6, 2023
The Snow Queen by Eileen Kernaghan - Edmund Dulac's Scandinavian illustrations are so detailed and stark! Happy Reading!
January 2, 2026
It was okay but felt dissatisfied when I was done. It didn’t quite fit what I thought it would be.
August 13, 2012
I really enjoyed this. It's a reworking, beginning in 19th c. Denmark with Gerda and Kai about 16 years old. Kai is hired by the mysterious Baroness Aurore to be her secretary, and when he stops writing, Gerda persuades a schoolfriend to pretend to send for her, so that she can travel to Copenhagen and find out what's wrong. Only she has to travel much further than she expects.
Ritva is the robber's daughter, and her mother is a Saami shaman. When Gerda falls into her hands, she rescues her on a whim, then uses Gerda's quest as a reason to escape her own confined life. The girls need all their own wit, courage, and Ritva's magic, to defeat the Woman of the North.
I read this quickly and with much enjoyment. It's only 158 pages. Braiding in the Finnish folklore adds a lot to the story, and I don't think there's ever been a reader of Andersen's story who didn't want to see more of the Little Robber Girl. Kernaghan does well by her, I think, not softening or smoothing, but letting her be wild.
Kai doesn't come off well, but he so often doesn't.
Ritva is the robber's daughter, and her mother is a Saami shaman. When Gerda falls into her hands, she rescues her on a whim, then uses Gerda's quest as a reason to escape her own confined life. The girls need all their own wit, courage, and Ritva's magic, to defeat the Woman of the North.
I read this quickly and with much enjoyment. It's only 158 pages. Braiding in the Finnish folklore adds a lot to the story, and I don't think there's ever been a reader of Andersen's story who didn't want to see more of the Little Robber Girl. Kernaghan does well by her, I think, not softening or smoothing, but letting her be wild.
Kai doesn't come off well, but he so often doesn't.
March 5, 2016
Very lovely. Loved the historical elements and details put into the fairytale (especially the nordic expeditions), the use of myths and folklore (particularly Saami), and most of all the friendship between Gerda and Ritva. The story really is more about that and their quest than Kai and the Snow Queen. Beautiful descriptions and writing as well. Awesome retelling.
September 4, 2011
This book is by my father's cousin and I have a signed copy! It's a wonderful book and is a young adult's version of the Snow Queen! The Snow Queen is one of my all time favourite stories and this retelling was wonderful. I read it a few years ago. I'll be reading it again!
February 4, 2016
Lovely re-envisioning of Andersen's masterpiece that makes fine use of Andersen's story but takes it in fascinating directions that are both ingenious but also totally in keeping with this wonderful tale! Kudos to Kernaghan!
August 21, 2015
I can't get enough of this story and this one in particular is super good.
Read
May 17, 2008Retelling of The Snow Queen.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews